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MONTRÉAL, May 17, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) has created 40 anniversary tickets forged from the steel of a major part of its history to mark its 40th anniversary. By melting a train truck that had recently been removed from service and destined for the scrap heap, VIA Rail is repurposing its past to move forward 40 lucky participants toward a more sustainable future. The truck was part of a railway car that had travelled over six million kilometres, which is equivalent of travelling across Canada more than a thousand times.

VIA Rail has launched the VIA40 Contest, giving the chance to win one of 40 anniversary tickets, valid for a round trip for two to travel from coast to coast or to any other destination served by VIA Rail (CNW Group/VIA Rail Canada Inc.)

VIA Rail has launched the VIA40 Contest, giving the chance to win one of 40 anniversary tickets, valid for a round trip for two to travel from coast to coast or to any other destination served by VIA Rail (CNW Group/VIA Rail Canada Inc.)

A contest was launched this morning giving participants the chance to win one of 40 anniversary tickets. The contest runs from May 17 to June 10, 2018. Afterward, there will be a draw and 40 steel tickets will be given to the winners, valid for a round trip for two to travel from coast to coast or to any other destination served by VIA Rail.

"VIA Rail's 40th anniversary is a fitting time to take stock, but it's also an opportunity to project the company toward a more sustainable future," said the president and CEO of VIA Rail, Yves Desjardins-Siciliano. "In order to share this ambition with everyone who dreams of discovering our great country while respecting its environment, we decided to offer these one-of-a-kind, steel pieces that represent the 40 years VIA Rail has devoted to serving its passengers. It's clear that the future is on board!"

The contest is open to residents of Canada1 who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory of residence. It will end on June 10, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Winners will be revealed during the week of June 14, 2018. The launch video and the registration form are available online as of today, May 17. No purchase necessary. In addition to the online entries, all eligible individuals who make a reservation for the purchase of train tickets from VIA Rail during the contest period, and provide a valid e-mail and phone number, will be registered automatically.

This initiative was carried out in collaboration with ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada where the video was shot at its Contrecoeur facility in the province of Québec.

Other initiatives associated with VIA Rail's 40th anniversary will be revealed throughout the year.

About VIA Rail Canada As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail (viarail.ca) and all its employees are mandated to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking over 400 communities across Canada, and about 180 more communities through intermodal partnerships, and safely transports nearly 4.4 million passengers annually. The Corporation has been awarded five Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada since 2007. Visit the "About VIA Rail" section at: www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail.

1Employees, agents and representatives of the contest organizers and of any corporation, company, trust or other legal entity controlled by or affiliated with them, employees of their advertising and promotional agencies, the suppliers of prizes, materials or services that directly participated in the development of this contest, as well as members of their immediate family (brothers, sisters, children, father, mother), their legal or common-law spouse and any individuals with whom such employees, representatives and agents are domiciled are ineligible for the contest.